Total Pageviews

Sunday, 14 June 2015

What changes occur in the body as we age?

A wide range of changes can happen in the body to different
degrees as we age. These changes are not necessarily indicative of an
underlying disease but they can be distressing to the individual. Even though
the aging process cannot be stopped, being aware of these changes and adopting
a healthy lifestyle can reduce their impact on overall health.

Expected bodily changes of aging include change in:

Skin: With aging, skin becomes less flexible, thinner, and
more fragile. Easy bruising is noticeable, and wrinkles, age spots, and skin
tags may become more apparent. Skin can also become more dry and itchy as a
result of less natural skin oil production.

Bones, joints, and muscles: Bones typically lose density and
shrink in size making them more susceptible to fractures (breaks). Muscles
shrink in mass and become weaker. Joints can suffer from normal wear and tear;
joints become inflamed, painful, and less flexible.

Mobility and balance: A person's mobility and balance can be
affected by various age related changes. Bone, joint, and muscle problems
listed above in conjunction with changes in nervous system are the major
contributors to balance problems. Falls may occur resulting in further damage
with bruises and fractures.

Body shape: As a result of bony changes of aging, body
stature can become shorter and curvature of the back vertebrae may be altered.
Increased muscle loss and reduced fat metabolism can also occur. Fat can
redistribute to the abdominal area and buttock areas. Maintaining an ideal body
weight becomes more difficult.

Face: Aging changes also take place in the face. Other than
wrinkles and age spots, the overall facial contour can change. Overall loss of
volume from facial bone and fat can result in less tightness of the facial skin
and sagging. The face becomes droopier and bottom heavy.

Teeth and gums: Teeth can become more weak, brittle, and
dry. Salivary glands produce less saliva. Gums can also recede (pull back) from
the teeth. These changes may result in dry mouth, tooth decay, infections, bad
breath, tooth loss, and gum disease.

Hair and nail: Hair can become thinner and weaker as a
person ages. Dry hair may lead to itching and discomfort. Nails may become
brittle and unshapely. Nails can also get dry and form vertical ridges. Toe
nail thickening (ram's horn shape) is common. Nail fungal infections may occur
frequently.

Hormones and endocrine glands: Hormonal changes are seen
commonly in the elderly. Most common is the hormonal control of blood sugar and
carbohydrate metabolism leading to diabetes. Thyroid dysfunction and problems
with fat and cholesterol metabolism are also commonly encountered. Calcium and
vitamin D metabolism may also become altered. Sexual hormones reach a low level
and can lead toerectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness.

Memory: Problems with memory are common in seniors. However,
it is important to realize that minor memory problems do not constitute dementia
or Alzheimer's disease. Simple lapses of memory such as not remembering where
you left a key or whether you locked the door are a normal part of aging.

Immunity: The body's immune system can get weaker with age.
Blood cells that fight infections (white blood cells) become less effective
leading to more frequent infections.

Hearing: changes in nerves of hearing and ear structures can
dim hearing and cause age-related hearing loss. Higher frequencies become
harder to hear.

Vision: Eyes can become drier and the lens can lose its
accuracy as we age. Vision can be affected by these changes and can become
blurry and out of focus. Glasses or contact lenses can help correct these
problems.

Taste and smell: Sense of smell and, less commonly, sense of
taste may fade leading to poor appetite and weight loss.

Bowel and bladder: Bowel and bladder control can cause
problems with incontinence (involuntary loss of feces or urine). Additionally,
bowel and bladder habit can change. Constipation is common in older adults, as
are urinary frequency and difficulty initiating urine.

Sleep: Sleep patterns can significantly change with age.
Duration of sleep, quality of sleep, and frequent night time awakening are
commonly seen in seniors.

These
changes are different in every individual. Some people may experience more
changes in a particular area compared to others